Perhaps the most pleasant surprise of the first week of Miami Dolphins training camp was the reemergence of wide receiver Albert Wilson. Wilson has shown some terrific chemistry with second-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa; the pair linking up for multiple 50+ yard scoring plays throughout the course of the first four practices of this summer’s camp. That development is a promising one; as the Dolphins went “all-in” on building up a supporting cast for Tagovailoa that will allow him to play with more confidence and quickness to make decisions with the football in 2021.
And the Dolphins apparently wanted to take advantage of Wilson’s hot start by placing him firmly in the spotlight: they strapped Wilson up with a microphone for Saturday’s practice and shared some of the end result on social media over the weekend. You can watch the clip below.
.@IThinkISee12 was #MicdUp during Saturday's practice!#FinsUp pic.twitter.com/DWzJHy3qKP
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 1, 2021
Wilson is sporting a new number this year, a look that is enabled by the NFL’s rule change this season that allows players to branch out with their jersey numbers for a little more flair on the field. And a No. 2 jersey certainly looks the part on the practice field. Wilson was last at his prime for Miami in 2018, when he led the NFL in yards after catch in the first half of the season before a hip injury would sideline him for the rest of the year.
Wilson’s journey back to this point has been a long one. He clearly wasn’t 100% in 2019 and then he chose to opt out of the 2020 season due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. This summer certainly brings a different feel. Here’s hoping that things continue to trend this direction for Wilson; because if they do, Miami’s receiving corps is going to be difficult to contain on a weekly basis.